Sorry for the late upload! I was moving yesterday and just didn't get time to get this up - I am rushing even as I upload it now, so:

Quick Disclaimer: Bleach is not mine, I swear!

Enjoy!

Renji pulled at the sleeves of his kimono as he made his way in the side entrance of the Kuchiki manor. If it was possible, the place was more immaculate looking than before - the garden had been recently tended to, and there was the smell of late summer and emerging autumn in the air. His favourite time of year... Byakuya's garden looked even better this time of year, too.

He sighed and pushed open the veranda door, stepping into the coridoor beyond and glancing around. It only just occured to him that since he was invited to lunch that he should have taken the main entrance, but too late now. He slid the door shut behind him and made his way down the empty coridoor, his warashi making sof noises against the shining wooden floor as he did so. Nervousness was all over him, and he wasn't even one hundred percent sure why.

"Abarai-fukutaichou!"

"Renji!"

He jumped and snapped his gaze to the right, where Rukia was waving, making her way towards him, a servant by her side. She drew level and gave him a quick, awkward hug.

"Umm... I will catch up with you." She mumbled to the servant, who immediately took the hint and rushed down the coridoor, bundles of towels bouncing in her hands.

"Everything okay?" Renji carefully began the conversation. He still wasn't sure how Rukia felt about finding them last night... Renji decided to take that moment to thank whatever might be looking down on them that they were both clothed when she walked in.

"Fine." She smiled and clasped her hands behind her back. "So... You're here for lunch, huh?"

"Yeah, Bya- Kuchiki-Taichou asked me to come..." He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly red in the face.

"Oh Renji!" She suddenly reached out and punched him in the chest. "You can call him Byakuya in front of me!"

"Ow!" Renji rubbed at the pained area. "Sorry, s'just, after yesterday... I didn't know..."

"If you're afraid of what I think..." She paused and scrutinized him. "I'm still not really sure. I'm not mad, and I don't think it's creepy... I just still need to get my head around it. I am happy for you guys though! How long have you two been...?"

"...Couple o' months..."

Rukia glared. "Well, I am a bit mad you didn't tell me. But you'd better get going I guess." I wide, sinister grin spread across her face. "You're meeting my cousin."

"Yeah! What's up with that guy?"

"You'll find out yourself." Rukia spun him around and pushed him in the right direction. "Now get going! Don't be late, you idiot!"

Byakuya didn't like the awkward silence. Firstly, it wasn't what he expected from Koji, and secondly, it was making him nervous. He had, admittedly, asked a few questions as Byakuya spilled everything, but when he finished he lapsed into silence.

He moved, finally, to scratch his chin. "Well," He said at last. "I don't really know what to say... 'cept that I didn't really think you were... Well..."

Byakuya rose an eyebrow in amusement. Koji couldn't even say the word. "Gay?" He offerend. "I am not. I had a wife, you'll recall." He added with a pang of grief he felt very time he thought of Hisana, even now, so many years later.

"Hmmm yeah I guess so." He looked up and regarded Byakuya. "You're going to get into a lot of trouble. The clan isn't going to like this... And it's never approved of when a Taichou engages in a relationship with their fukutaichou."

"But it is not against the law," Byakuya pointed out.

"No, I'll concede, but still... Are you sure you wanna let this out? There's gonna be a lot of talk, gossip... Name calling, you know. The clan will not take the shame well."

Byakuya looked down at his hands. "I have decided I have let the clan dictate my life and my choices for too many years." He gave a small sigh. "It is suffocating."

Koji said nothing for a few moments, and merely sat there in silence watching his cousin. "I know. Believe me, I know. I was lucky enough that I could get out of that circle, but you..." He looked out into the garden. There was a pleasant breeze, and it was a warm, lazy day, but he didn't notice. "I think I might hang around a little longer than usual this time. Is that okay with you?"

Byakuya looked up from his hands. Koji was still staring out at the garden, but glanced once at Byakuya, then back again. His cousin was offering him support for what was coming, and Byakuya didn't know words to express his gratitude. He was probably going to need this support very much. "Of course. Stay as long as you wish."

Koji turned back to say something, but suddenly the door slid opened and they both turned to see who it was. "Renji," Byakuya rose and went over to meet him. To Renji's suprise, his Taichou took him by the hand and led him to the table. "I apologise, Koji. I forgot to mention that I invited Renji to join us."

Koji followed suit and rose, a wide grin spreading across his face. "So this is Renji, huh? I've heard a lot about you..."

Renji opened his mouth to say something, but no words came to mind. Had Byakuya told him cousin about them? When? Why? Had he even told him, or was he drawing conclusions? "Umm... Yeah... Nice to meet you..." He answered uncertainly.

"Renji, sit down please." Byakuya nodded seriously. Something definitely happened, thought Renji as he lowered himself to his knees at the edge of the table. The other two men did the same.

"As you have probably already guessed, I have informed Koji of our relationship," Byakuya began. Renji suddenly felt cold. "You needn't worry, Renji. Along with Rukia, Ukitake-sempai and yourself, Koji is one of my most trusted friends, and also my cousin."

Koji grinned again. "I know all his dirty secrets. Or, at least, I like to think I do."

Renji didn't know how to act around this Kuchiki; he was so different from Byakuya, or any other Kuchiki for that matter. He spoke with the style of someone of Rukongai, even his posture was relaxed whereas Byakuya sat stiff, with his back straight. He wasn't sure what to say, so he said nothing.

Byakuya ignored Koji's comment. "I have told him this, because," He took a pause in which he glanced at Koji, who nodded to him. "I think we should announce our relationship."

Renji's eyes widened. Byakuya wanted to make their relationship public? He couldn't believe it... This meant that Byakuya definitely cared a lot for him, to be prepared to put himself through such...

His eyes suddenly widened as the realisation hit. The next while was going to be very difficuly for Byakuya....

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